Press Release

November 28, 2006

ASU vows to support low-income students; launches Sun Devil Promise

ASU is opening wide its doors to low-income Arizonans, announcing the "Sun Devil Promise" to provide full funding to all Arizona freshmen from families with incomes under $25,000. The new program will pay for tuition, fees, books, room and board, about $13,000 a year.

Forty-seven percent of Arizona children live in low-income homes, and about one-quarter are in households with incomes less than $25,000.

ASU is among the first universities in the nation to offer this type of assistance.

Two years ago, ASU launched the ASU Advantage program to cover the full cost for students whose family income is at or below the federal poverty level of $18,850. More than 600 students have entered ASU under the program.

The Sun Devil Promise is expected to make a university education accessible to hundreds more qualified low-income students.

"This important step will allow us to serve a far greater number of students and provide the vital support necessary to ensure a brighter collective future for Arizona," says ASU President Michael Crow. "We have made a commitment to Arizonans who have a dream, and the desire to realize their full capacity and potential through education.

"ASU has vowed to recruit, enroll, educate and advance Arizonans from every economic, social and cultural background. We promise to enroll and educate the full measure of Arizona for the benefit of each person, and the greater good of our state."

More than four years ago, the university embarked on a path to become the New American University, an accessible institution of high academic rank focused on excellence, access and impact.

Last year, in addition to $385 million in federal aid, ASU gave nearly $100 million annually in scholarships and grants to thousands of students from virtually every income level. University need-based gift aid has increased 246 percent in the past three years.

Also part of the Sun Devil Promise are a number of ASU programs bringing children from urban, rural and underserved suburban areas to campus to instill in them the dream of a university education. ASU supports their dream with parent education programs, elementary and high school partnerships, summer bridge programs and financial aid outreach. Once enrolled, students receive academic and social support to enhance their success.

For more information on Sun Devil Promise, visit the Web site www.asu.edu/promise.

Sarah Auffret, sauffret@asu.edu
(480) 965-6991